Health authorities in Punjab are facing accusations of underreporting dengue deaths, with claims that the virus is taking a heavy toll but the health department is allegedly concealing the true impact. The situation is particularly alarming in Multan and Faisalabad, where the disease's rapid spread has exposed the health department's earlier claims that the dengue situation was under control. Reports from the south of Punjab, especially Multan, indicate a tenfold increase in dengue virus cases over the last few weeks. Local medical experts have revealed that health officials have been instructed to stop notifying dengue deaths and underreport positive cases on the dengue dashboard. This has raised concerns, as a senior health expert from the region claims that many deaths have occurred, and the NS 1 test results, which are crucial for diagnosis, were delayed to obtain negative results, potentially misleading the public. The Dengue Expert Advisory Group (DEAG) has also exposed the health department's negligence, highlighting deficiencies in preventive measures that have contributed to the dengue spread in Punjab. The DEAG's alert and a letter from the Institute of Public Health (IPH) emphasize the urgent need for action to control the dengue epidemic in the province. The health department is accused of launching anti-dengue activities too late, as per standard guidelines, which recommend vector control and surveillance measures starting from June or July. This delay is seen as a significant factor in the worsening dengue situation, and the health authorities are urged to take immediate action to prevent further outbreaks and contain the disease's spread.
